Where Should Jamal Go?

[lethalweapon3]

Once we go live with free agency, whenever that is, many of the obvious NBA title contenders may be beating down the door for the services of Jamal Crawford. I wonder if there are some less obvious places you can think of that may be a good fit for him. Here is my first suggestion…

Trading off Stephen Jackson displays the confidence the Bobcats have going forward with the emerging Gerald Henderson. But there's not much depth behind him, and not much veteran experience in the backcourt overall -- Kemba, D.J. Augustin, Matt Carroll, maybe Garrett Temple -- for a team that claims a desire for an immediate return to the playoffs.

As for Henderson, he connected on less than 20 percent of his threes last season. No 'Cats guard other than Jackson made more than 1.5 threes per game. Kemba and D.J. will help, but there will be times they'll need to rely on a shooting guard that can turn it out from deep. Jamal would certainly be better than having undersized guards on the floor together to boost the offense, and it would alleviate the need for over-reliance on Carroll.

Even with Cap'n Jack, Charlotte ranked next-to-last in the NBA for 3-point percentage last season, and was near the bottom in free throw shooting and total shooting. Jamal was marginally better as a shooter compared to Jackson, and sank 85% from the charity stripe last year. (As an aside, quite a few that Jamal "missed" early on, I still suspect, were under a subtle yet deliberate protest over his contract non-extension. There's NO way I can prove it, though, so never mind!)

The Bobcats are another low-pace team (like the Hawks) but one that lacks in the area of offensive efficiency, perhaps part of the reason they made a play for Corey Maggette. Jamal would be another definite boost in that area, and would be more proficient with his passing than Jackson was.

Conceivably, a Crawford-Maggette wing would give up just as many points as they can muster, so they would probably start only one of them, with either Henderson or Tyrus Thomas playing alongside them. As long as he gets adequate minutes, the former Sixth Man of the Year is not likely to be grumpy if Silas chooses to start Henderson ahead of him. As a bonus for him, with Kemba and D.J. in the mix, he would only be pressed to play the backup point if needed as an injury replacement.

If Crawford's asking price is below that of MJ's fellow Tar Heel alum Vince Carter, who would be more likely to pressure Henderson as a starter, I can see Rich Cho and the Bobcats making Jamal an offer. He can have some, if not most, of the salary that Morris Peterson had prior to his contract expiration ($6.6 million). Relocation expenses wouldn't be terribly bad.

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

I know I said to suggest teams other than “obvious title contenders,” but until late April, not many were ready to put the Grizzlies in that category. Not only am I putting them in that group now (even without Crawford), I am downright giddy about their ability to make noise next year in the West, especially with the return of Rudy Gay to the lineup.

Even re-signing Marc Gasol and Hamed Haddadi, the Grizzles could still have under $60 million in committed salaries. I assume they will be trying to trade (successfully, this time) O.J. Mayo to get some depth up front. If that happens, behind Tony Allen and Mike Conley, Jr. is some young talent (Greivis Vasquez, Josh Selby, Xavier Henry) that might not be primed for title contention.

Memphis was last in the NBA in 3-pointers made per game last season (3.8, the only team with less than 4), and far below everyone in three-point rate (3PA/FGA, just 13.6%). The Grizz were last in the Western Conference for 3-point FG% (33.4%), but second in the NBA in percentage of assisted three-point baskets (90.6%). Having a shooting guard that can seal the deal from outside can be a boost for Conley, who could move up in the tiering of the league’s starting point guards, while reducing reliance on guys like Gay to take open shots beyond 15 feet.

Adding Jamal would give Lionel Hollins the luxury of a “change-up” approach to the SG position. Hollins can adjust to opponents with either a defensive stalwart (Allen) or an offensive sparkplug (Crawford). It would make Mayo expendable for backup depth at other positions, and can signal the seriousness of the Grizzlies to be a championship threat in the free-wheeling West.

~lw3

[MaceCase]

Wing City did not actually sport a single SG outside of Carter all of last season (Richardson doesn't count because he's been more of a 3 most his career) despite having a million SFs. Nash could use a secondary ball handler and shot creator that is more reliable than Vince's corpse and not entirely dependent on Nash to create for him. The Suns refuse to go into rebuild mode and trade Nash so it makes sense to reload for one last run with Jamal but the question will be whether the CBA will actually allow them to spend on him but with Carter and Hill being let go he definitely has a spot there.

[lethalweapon3]

Wing City did not actually sport a single SG outside of Carter all of last season (Richardson doesn't count because he's been more of a 3 most his career) despite having a million SFs. Nash could use a secondary ball handler and shot creator that is more reliable than Vince's corpse and not entirely dependent on Nash to create for him. The Suns refuse to go into rebuild mode and trade Nash so it makes sense to reload for one last run with Jamal but the question will be whether the CBA will actually allow them to spend on him but with Carter and Hill being let go he definitely has a spot there.

Totally agree with PHX. Other than Nash, no returning guard gets to the line as often as Jamal, and none are sinking more than 1.5 threes per game. With only Pietrus and maybe Chills as their SG options, they will be relying heavily on Brooks and Nash to supply both the long-range shooting and passing duties. Nash and Craw at any time in the backcourt is not ideal defensively, but heck, it's Phoenix. They can slide Pietrus or Childress to the 3 spot to help balance things out a bit.

~lw3

[ATLJA316]

Phoenix seems like a good fit, but I have to say NYK hit my mind first.

Another stint in NY, this time as a lethal 6th man... could do wonders for that team.

IDK if he'll be able to get $10mil from them though.

[Diesel]

Hello.

A team rich with defense but really needs a second scorer.

I would hate to see it happen, but JCraw could go to Chicago and flourish.

[lethalweapon3]

Hello.

A team rich with defense but really needs a second scorer.

I would hate to see it happen, but JCraw could go to Chicago and flourish.

Kind of an "obvious title contender," but we'll take it!

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

The Pacers are likely to be thrilled getting out from under unrestricted free agent Mike Dunleavy, Jr.’s $10.5 million contract. Dunleavy’s defensive boards and shooting figures rebounded from the previous two seasons. But he was a certified non-factor in his very first playoff appearance against the Bulls, and it’s hard to assume his contract-year contributions can be sustained going forward.

At shooting guard, Indiana is settling for a legion of options representing permutations of players too small (George Hill), too inexperienced (Paul George, Lance Stephenson), too past-his-prime (James Posey), too unaccomplished (Dahntay Jones), and/or too spotty (Brandon Rush) to expect to hold down the job full time. As a result, the Pacers relied heavily on Dunleavy and multidimensional star Danny Granger to start at SG last season, before promoting George for the last 20 games. The services of Granger are of greater use as a forward to shore up the possible lack of depth in the frontcourt if free agents leave.

For a returning playoff team, Jamal Crawford can provide at least similar production at the SG position to what Dunleavy offered at SF, at a better price than what the Pacers have been paying Dunleavy to this point. Particularly with Roy Hibbert opening up the paint to draw defending centers away from the basket, Jamal can enhance Indiana’s already strong proficiencies in getting to the line and making free throws.

Several of the aforementioned players are above-par defenders that can be paired at the wing with Crawford. With Darren Collison, Hill, and possibly A.J. Price, Indy will not have to rely on Crawford for table setting point guard duties, but can be relied upon (along with Hill) to boost their overall effectiveness with passing on offense. None of the Pacers’ regular-rotation two-guards held assist rates at Crawford’s level last season.

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

No one in The Big Easy wants to be left holding the bag. Just like Cleveland circa 2010, if (when?) Chris Paul leaves, there will be no major star waiting in the wings capable of keeping the Hornets afloat in the Western Conference. Perhaps that is part of former All-Star David West’s mindset when he elected to opt out of his contract and see if the grass is greener elsewhere. Who picks up the offensive load if West, the team’s leading scorer, opts to explore other avenues -- and who picks up the load if he chooses to come back, but remains hampered by his knee injury?

The Hornets are likely kicking themselves for shipping Louisiana native Marcus Thornton out to Sacramento for free agent forward Carl Landry. They produced a qualifying offer for three-point gunner Marco Belinelli, but likely hope to add a starter with more dimensions to their game than long-range sniping. Largely with the Hornets’ low-pace style taken into account, their volume of three-point attempts in the second-lowest in the Western Conference. West, Landry, and Jason Smith have all expressed at least a sincere interest in returning, so most of any money expended for additions by New Orleans may be to provide Paul a more reliable backcourt partner, one that can take CP3 dimes from anywhere on the floor and convert them into points.

Crawford could be flanked by solid defensive players in Paul, Trevor Ariza, and Emeka Okafor, allowing him to showcase his offensive abilities. Behind Crawford, the Hornets could go with Belinelli or bring back Willie Green if they need more defensive support at the position. With or without West, bringing in Crawford on a reasonable short-term contract can boost Paul’s confidence that it is worth sticking around New Orleans -- for at least one more season.

~lw3

[lethalweapon3]

A triumphant return to the Great Lakes State for the one-time Wolverine? Don’t rule it out.

Crawford’s greatest professional season came under the helm of one Mike Woodson, who is a leading candidate to take the reins after the team’s tumultuous period with John Kuester.

The Pistons are emboldened by the promise of their young center (Greg Monroe) and their rookie point guard (Brandon Knight). Not so much in between. They’ll be looking to move at least one, if not both, of their overvalued contracts at the shooting guard position. Richard Hamilton ($12.5 million in 2011-12) fell out of favor with the coach, then many fans and the organization, in mid-season after boiling disputes with Kuester. Ben Gordon ($11.6 million in 2011-12; $13.2 million player option two seasons after that) shot especially well very early in the season, but waned once he was moved to the starting spot in place of Rip. Any trade is likely to bring in some help at the frontcourt spots, or veteran backup point guard insurance in case the team doesn’t re-sign Rodney Stuckey.

Given Detroit’s desire to move Hamilton, Gordon and Charlie Villanueva, plus the free agent statuses of Stuckey, Tayshaun Prince, Chris Wilcox, and Tracy McGrady, it is quite possible that 7 of the 10 leading scorers (including their top 5 scorers) on this team will be gone by the next formal tip-off. In the absence of veteran playmakers, the Pistons would have to rely on young players like Austin Daye, free agents Jonas Jerebko (returning after a season-long injury) and DaJuan Summers, and Knight and Monroe to take charge.

With its faded legacy and a team no longer identifiable by its defensive prowess (last place in opponent FG%, next to last and tied with Cleveland for defensive efficiency), look for Joe Dumars and new owner Tom Gores to remake this squad with a free-wheeling, gambling defense and a revamped offense keyed by its decent-passing big man. Crawford, who led the low-swooping Hawks in steals last year, can also offer up some Microwave-style offense and help the Pistons improve their woeful free throw shooting (26th in free throw rate, 27th in FT%), all while playing in a low-pace style similar to his seasons in Atlanta.

If Woody is brought in to lead the charge, one can betthat Crawford would be a target as a familiar and cost-effective alternative toGordon/Hamilton, and a likely fan favorite in Motown. Undoubtedly, at least oneof these two Pistons would have to be moved (probably Gordon) before Crawford entertains thepossibility of a return to the land of the Wolverines.

~lw3

[Hustler]

Chicago Bullls! He wants to be in a team that is in a good place to win the whole thing,and Bulls have enough money to give him what he wants it's a perfect match.

[lethalweapon3]

Chicago Bullls! He wants to be in a team that is in a good place to win the whole thing,and Bulls have enough money to give him what he wants it's a perfect match.

Once we go live with free agency, whenever that is, many of the obvious NBA title contenders may be beating down the door for the services of Jamal Crawford. I wonder if there are some less obvious places you can think of that may be a good fit for him.

~lw3

[capstone21]

Maybe it will be Europe

[Trueblood]

Assuming there is an MLE of some sorts and the Bulls are in financial position to spend it beyond the flex cap amount, I would say the Bulls are his best bet if they don't get Jason Richardson.

[lethalweapon3]

via sam_amick (SI.com) on Twitter:

Source familiar w/ Jamal Crawford's thinking, when asked who's leading the pack for his services: "N.O., Phoenix, Chi, Atl, Jersey, Indy..."

Looks like we pretty much got them all! I never did get to do Jersey's though.

~lw3

Edited December 5, 2011 by lethalweapon3